While wrestling in college as a junior it came to a point where wrestling just wasn't enough for me anymore. I love wrestling, but I felt like I was missing something, and so the striking part about MMA, the boxing and kickboxing, was what got me really interested in MMA. I saw it on TV and I just knew that I wanted to do it.

You need good coaches with a good gym that teach you the essentials, like boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and pretty much all the stuff that you need to be successful in MMA.

You need good training partners - because you’re only as good as your training partners - and a strong desire to always get better.

I just have to practice hard, get better, and go out there and win impressively - that's all it comes down to.

Nothing is given to you in this world, so you have to work hard.

Know what your strengths are, but also keep in mind what your weaknesses are; always work on your weaknesses.

I don't think about being undefeated; I don't think about what people say in the media about me, whether it's good or bad; I just don't think of it.